Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-07-16
Uniform Interstate ExtraditiOn
IN. Y. Mail aud Express.

Gov Hill has issued a circular inviting the
States to send representatives to a conference
to be held in this city on the 231 of next
month The object OF the conference, as
STAGED in the circular, is TO secure uniform
rules and practice in the matter of interstate
extradiiion. The circular, which is signed
by five Governors, asserts that the regulations
in the several States vary, and that the de
laws caused by the divergence of practice
very often result in the escape of criminals
whose requisiton is sought. According to
the circular, the lack of harmony among
the States in respect of this important sub
ject leads to serious evils, and now that GRIM
mails have had important accessions from the
intelligent class. and that means of flight are
numerous and effective, Gov. Hill and a large
number of other persons who are interested
in law reform, think it time that steps should
be taken to increase the difficulties of attempts
to escape.
The Federal Constitution contemplstes that
an offender against the laws of any State
shall be unsafe in any other State. 1t pro-
vides that "a person charged in any State
with treason, felony, or other crime, who
shall flee from justice and be found in another
State, shall, on demand of the executive au-
thority of the State from which he fed, be
ing jurisdiction of the crime" The purpose
of this clause is perfectly clear. 1t was the
intention of the trainers of the Constitution
that criminals should not have the advantage
of State lines. The command to the State to
which the accused fees, that he be delivered
to the State having jurisdiction of the crime,
is as explicit and imperative as the command
that no State shall coin money. The
machinery of extrsdition ought to be very
simple. There is no excuse for complica-
tons and no chance for the exercise of dis
erection except when two States demand the
same person Even then it is questionable
If governor can refuse to recognize priority
of demand determining the matter. 1t is
not necessary, or proper, for the State upon
which the requsition is made to take evil
dence concerning the guilt or innocence of
the accused. 1t is suffi tent that he be
charged with the commission of a crime with
in the jurisdiction of the State whose gov
ernor makes the demand. The only duty
imposed upon the State to which the accused
fees is to deliver him upon demand.
If the practice and regulations governing
extraditiOn have grown complicated, full of
conflicting details and so inharmonous "a to
facilitate flight, it is certainly time that
something were done to reform the evil, and
IL may De lJdl the pTOpOseu CObltItHCt is Tue
best method of reaching the deslred end. But
it will strike a good many persons who are
not afraid to have the United State exercise
their national powers, that 1t is time for
Congress to interfere. The states have
regulated the practice of extradition by sui
france. The duty of interstate extradition
rests upon the constitution, and Congress
may legislate to carry into effect that pro-
vision of the fundamental law. If the
States have not adopted harmonious sys-
TEN, it is doubtful if they will, no matter
what may be the outcome of the conference.
The constitution Is not obeyed if there is any
delay in delivering up a criminal upon re
QUESTION. so that practically, the result of
State control is that the provision which we
have quoted is not carried into effect. Con-
gress NAV and ought to make uniform regu-
latous, and when the conference has finished
its labors the report should be sent to the
President 18th a request that he recommend,
in his annual message, uniform interstate
extrsdition law.